Parents claim school sells used notebooks

CEBU, Philippines - Some parents yesterday informed the Department of Education-Talisay City Division about alleged selling of used notebooks at the Maghaway Elementary School.

Marie Gencono, 36, and Charlito Caballero who both have children enrolled at the school complained to DepEd Talisay City Division superintendent Woodrow Denuyo claiming recycled notebooks and other school materials were allegedly being sold by the school to a scrap buyer.

Gencono and Caballero said if the school has returned to the children these materials specially the notebooks, it would have meant big savings on their part considering that only a few pages had been used while some are still good as new.

The complainants also presented to Denuyo their written complaints signed by at least 20 other parents.

These notebooks were used as last school year's workbooks.

Gencono said Christine Genica, the scrap buyer who is also a parent, who reportedly sold slightly used notebooks for P3 and P5 for those that had no markings.

The regular price for a brand new notebook costs P13. 

Genica reportedly bought a total of five sacks of notebooks from the teachers for P.50 per kilo.

Genica has reportedly bought some folders which she sold for P1 each.

Meanwhile, Patricia Gella, DepEd's Education Program Supervisor, said she had already talked to Meluz Noval, principal of the school, who reportedly told her that the notebooks were among the bulk of garbage they had to remove from all the classrooms in preparation for the opening of classes.

Reportedly, Genica saw the teachers cleaning up the school, and appealed to them that she would take care of the trash, Gella said.

Gella denied the school sold the notebooks to Genica.

Meanwhile, Denuyo said he will investigate the issue.

He said if it is true that the teachers sold the notebooks to the scrap buyer, the money will be used to purchase floor wax, among other things.       At least, the schoolchildren would benefit from the sale of their notebooks.

The parents, on the other hand, insisted the school return all materials submitted by students after the school year so they would know how their children fared, and use them again, if possible, for the next school year. – (FREEMAN)